Black Star

**Goofle** · 02-21-2012, 05:16 PM

Apologies if there is already a thread, but I couldn't find it.

Mos Def also goes by Yasiin Bey and he is in a Hip Hop collective with Talib Kweli, called Black Star.

In 1998 they released what I consider to be a legendary record Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star and it looks like they will be releasing a mix tape, and possibly an LP in 2012.

Here's a taster.

Surell · 02-21-2012, 05:53 PM

I've been meaning to listen to this 4EVER. They're both great in their own right, and I've heard a little bit of their collaboration and it was gooood, but i've never gotten around to it.

**Goofle** · 02-21-2012, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Surell

I've been meaning to listen to this 4EVER. They're both great in their own right, and I've heard a little bit of their collaboration and it was gooood, but i've never gotten around to it.

Wutttttt its epic. Listen to it now

Phantom Limb · 02-21-2012, 08:09 PM

**Janszoon** · 02-21-2012, 08:47 PM

I've had this for a while but I have to admit I've never been able to get into it. It's always seemed sort of less than the sum of its part to me. I don't know, maybe I'll give it another listen now that this thread has nudged me.

Engine · 02-21-2012, 10:02 PM

I used to love that album (Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star) and it really helped renew my love of real hip-hop in the late 90s (i.e. not instrumental turntablism stuff). I wrote a paper about the album in college. I haven't listened to it in years though.

That new song N*****s in Poorest sounds really interesting. What are those other songs from? Mos Def has been pretty hit-or-miss over the years. I really like the innovation on that one song but, I gotta admit, the Islam thing kinda bugs me (Allah is in control

).

**Goofle** · 02-22-2012, 03:48 AM

Most hip hop artist seem to have some religious belief. I don't really get it.

**Goofle** · 02-22-2012, 07:42 AM

Sparky · 02-23-2012, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Engine

I used to love that album (Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star) and it really helped renew my love of real hip-hop in the late 90s (i.e. not instrumental turntablism stuff). I wrote a paper about the album in college. I haven't listened to it in years though.

That new song N*****s in Poorest sounds really interesting. What are those other songs from? Mos Def has been pretty hit-or-miss over the years. I really like the innovation on that one song but, I gotta admit, the Islam thing kinda bugs me (Allah is in control

).

He's had those religious beliefs for a while though. The way i figure, anything is better then christianity on the beat.

All of those songs are supposed material for the next album, which is being produced predominately by madlib (though it looks like his lil bro oh no is getting a piece of the action).

I've always had much appreciation for mos def. People slammed tru magic back in the day for sluggishly rapping over other beats, but i find that to be an "industry standard"(as well as smooth-transitioning mixtapes

) today.

He's always been able to sound current. I found the ecstatic to be underrated, mos was doing a lot of his own singing vocals, something that mainstream poppers like drake were considered original for. The songs blended seamlessly, and featured a lot of the same arabic sounding samples that were fun on future adventures of lord quas and oh no matireal.

Talib on the other hand is very, very boring. He was so on the original blackstar, he is on solo matireal and it sounds like nothing is changing for this anticipated release. The guy sounds like he's reading straight out a black history text book and has no swag.

**Goofle** · 02-23-2012, 11:21 AM

I love Talib Kweli. Are you telling me Reflection Eternal and Quality are boring albums? His other stuff is give or take, but those are great.

02-21-2012, 08:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	I've had this for a while but I have to admit I've never been able to get into it. It's always seemed sort of less than the sum of its part to me. I don't know, maybe I'll give it another listen now that this thread has nudged me. __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

02-21-2012, 10:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
Engine air quote Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: pollen & mold Posts: 3,108	I used to love that album (Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star) and it really helped renew my love of real hip-hop in the late 90s (i.e. not instrumental turntablism stuff). I wrote a paper about the album in college. I haven't listened to it in years though. That new song N*****s in Poorest sounds really interesting. What are those other songs from? Mos Def has been pretty hit-or-miss over the years. I really like the innovation on that one song but, I gotta admit, the Islam thing kinda bugs me (Allah is in control). __________________ Like an arrow, I was only passing through.